Never Despairing to the Top of Mt Kinangop

Never Despairing to the Top of Mt Kinangop

Gone are the days when day drinking and wild weekends were all people were interested in. People are becoming more and more pulled toward weekend hiking trips. They get to visit all these hiking trails in Kenya and enjoy the scenery for half the amount they would have spent for one of those wild Vasha road trips. While as a novice you are not advised to go for the challenging hiking trails first, Mt Kinangop which is extremely challenging should definitely be on your bucket list for when you have built up your endurance. 

Key Attractions

• The sojourn to the top of Mt Kinangop will start will a polite trek through farms. If you are one of those Nai babies who think spinach comes from the supermarket, you will get to see crops! This is the time to engage with the rest of the group and find out how their previous weekend hiking trips have been and what they learned. You will not be willing to engage in pleasantries later. 
• The next section of the trek is through a bamboo forest. At this point you will find it harder to breathe. Though, you will still have the energy to pose for some photos among the tall bamboo trees. 
• With a series of sharp rises and steep drops, you will climb up the, mountain. 
• On the way you will be treated to a stunning view as hills and mountains crescendo into the horizon. Once you get to the top at over 3500m above sea level, it will feel like the world is really your oyster. If you are lucky and/or keen, you will see Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Longonot in the distance. 

At the Summit of Mt Kinangop -2nd Highest Summit on The Aberdares

Challenge Level

Weekend hiking trips should be amazing and capable of inspiring some jealousy from peers. Mt Kinangop does not disappoint. It has also been dubbed the most challenging hiking trail in Kenya. You will never have been more physically challenged but you also will never have had more fun on weekend hiking trips. 

Logistics

The central meeting point is on the benches near Bata Hilton Nairobi CBD. From there, we head out to Njabini town. The journey to the starting point is about three hours long. 

 What do you need for the trail?

1. Waterproof hiking shoes
2. Hiking Backpack
3. Leg gaiters
4. Hiking pants
5. 3L water (bring a reusable water bottle or a hydration pack)
6. T-shirt (long sleeve polyester or/and thermal T-shirt)
7. Fleece Jacket and a shell jacket (or a poncho for the Shell)
8. Gloves (warm and waterproof)
9. Hiking buff or scarf
10. Sun glasses, sunscreen, sun protection
11. Hat; Marvin, fleece hat, a wide-brimmed hat, etc.
12. Polyester socks (+ an extra pair or two in your backpack)
13. Trekking pole
14. Snacks (sandwich, trail mix (nuts), fruit salad, energy drink, warm beverage, biscuits, etc.)
15. Personal items (ID, pocket money, hand sanitizer, facemask, phone, camera, Lighter, Pocket Knife, First aid Kit)
16. Headlamp

Here’s a list of resources for hiking gear you can check out.

Hiking Gear Vendors – Lets Drift 

Now that you know about Mt Kinangop, we hope to see you on the trails!

Can you bring your kids with you?

No. This trail is not child or beginner friendly

Similar trails

For lovers of weekend hiking trips and mountain climbing, similar trails to Mt Kinangop are: 

Mt Kilimambogo and Mt Longonot